Taking a deep breath Elissa pushed open the door to the balcony and instantly felt her defenses shoot up again. Alistair was still here. Along with Eamon, Islode and Teagan. Was this a trap? Ser Gilmore entered in after her, she took the seat beside her Mother and nodded "Afternoon Your Majesty."
Alistair nodded, a smile on his lips "Afternoon My Lady, I noticed your training today in the yard, You are quiet skilled with a blade."
"Thank you."
Eleanor beamed with pride "As much as I wanted her to grow up to wear dresses and frilly things she still took to the daggers more than any dolls we gave her."
Elissa gave her Mother a sharp look out of the corner of her eye. Why was there small talk? What were they avoiding? "Did you want to see me for something Mother?"
Eleanor nodded, suddenly very serious, "Yes my Dear, Eamon has some news he wishes to share with you."
Elissa felt her lip twitch. Had Eamon convinced her Mother that this marriage thing was a good idea? Her dark eyes darted to Alistair, who seemed just as confused as she was. Had the two of them planned this without his knowledge?
Eamon smiled "Well your Mother and I have had a chat and we came to a sort of an agreement."
"Yes?" Elissa felt the muscles in her shoulders tense, felt her eyes grow into a dangerous glare.
The Arl turned his attention to Alistair, knowing the innocent King would know nothing of the politics of the noble houses, "I have managed to get your Mother to agree to a betrothal between you and Alistiar."
Her face sagged, her heart stopped, and the air became thick "What?" she breathed, her mouth slacking open slightly.
She stared at Eamon as if he had just sprouted wings. The Arl smiled at her. Not saying a word.
Elissa turned to her Mother expectantly. "What is going on, Mother?"
Eleanor just watched her daughter, a small smile on lips. "Eamon has agreed to send out three search parties to find Fergus in exchange for my agreeing to marry you and Alistair."
"What!?" Elissa shouted, jumping to her feet, the chair fell backward. Almost hitting Ser Gilmore in the shin. Rage boiling within her, her fists clenched down on the table "You use me as a bargaining chip to get Fergus back!?"
Her Mother just continued to watch her. It almost felt as though her Mother had no emotions at that point. She just watched her daughter. "Elissa please-"
"No!" Her raging dark eyes turned to Alistair "Don't you have anything to say about this?"
The King opened his mouth a couple of times before shrugging keeping quiet.
Great, Elissa thought, levelling him with a glare, Not only do I have to marry him but he is a spineless dope as well.
"I won't do it!" She snarled "You can't make me. Highever needs me."
Eleanor took a sip from her tea, seeming totally indifferent to the whole thing "Please calm yourself Elissa. I am more than capable of looking after Highever until Oren comes of age. Then he will take over as head of the house."
Elissa shook her head backed away from the table and left the room. Storming down the corridor she felt Ser Gilmore behind her.
Eleanor sighed "Well that went better than I thought it would."
Eamon sighed and turned to Alistair "She will be a good match for you Alistair."
The King was dumbstruck. He wasn't even sure he knew what had just happened. It all went by so fast. One minute he was expecting tea with the Couslands and now apparently he is engaged. Again his mouth opened and only air came out.
Teagan slapped him on the shoulder and it seemed to help "Alistair?"
"What just happened?" Alistair questioned Eamon.
Eamon smiled as Eleanor got to her feet "We have agreed that you and Elissa shall marry. It will be the best for the country, Alistair."
Alistair shook his head and looked away from Eamon "I think from that reaction it may not be for "the best" of anyone."
Eleanor bowed her head "Forgive my daughter My King. She is head strong but will come around to the idea."
Alistair just stared at Eleanor, hardly believing what he had just been a part of. Eleanor had basically sold her daughter into marriage, all for the chance to find her son again. Eleanor bowed again before leaving the balcony and headed inside. Alistiar turned to Eamon "And this is justified?"
Eamon rose his eyebrows at Alistair as if he did not understand "What do you mean my boy?"
Alistair's eyes narrowed slightly "I'm engaged, just like that?"
"That is how it works Alistair." Eamon nodded "As soon as I can bring her brother back she will marry you and Ferelden will have a united kingdom once again."
The King turned his eyes to the door that the Couslands had just exited "It just seems so wrong. Like I am taking her by force."
Teagan sighed beside Alistair, the Bann had been quiet through most of the meeting. "It's the way of politics I'm afraid Alistair." Teagan leant forward, his elbows resting on the table "When you are in the position of leadership, you rarely get to choose for yourself."
hehehe Yes okay, so life hasnt got any slower. I had change in job, which is good for me, but not so good for my writing. I wish I had more time to write. Anyway's thank you all for reading this far. If you havent given up on me yet you are amazing :D. Reviews do motivate. But now I am going to go and read some of the stuff I have missed out on.
If you haven't already go check out Bathorybabe, all of her writing is AMAZING!